Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars have safely landed in Gabon ahead of their opening game at the on-going 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
On Saturday night, the 23-man squad together with technical and management officials arrived in the Central African country’s city of Port Gentil via a direct chartered flight from the United Arab Emirates where they held their pre-tournament preparations for 11 days.
The team’s arrival in Gabon was initially delayed by 24 hours due to bad weather.
The Black Stars were met on arrival by the Ghanaian community in Gabon who welcomed the team.
Ghana is lodged at Hotel du Parc together with the Cranes of Uganda.
Making their 21st appearance at the Nations Cup, the Black Stars in their quest to win the competition for the first time since 1982 have to first advance from Group D which hosts seven-time champions Egypt, 2013 bronze medalists Mali and returnees Uganda.
Coach Avram Grant and his men will open their campaign against Uganda at 1600GMT on Tuesday January 17, before taking on Mali four days later and then the Pharaohs of Egypt on January 25.
Ghana’s Afcon squad:
Goalkeepers:
Razak Braimah (Cordoba, Spain) -1, Abdul-Fatau Dauda (Enyimba, Nigeria) – 16, Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars) – 12
Defenders:
Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA) – 23, Andy Yiadom (Barnsley, England) – 2, Baba Rahman (Schalke, Germany) – 17, Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium) – 22, John Boye (Sivasspor, Turkey) – 21, Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew, USA) – 4, Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England) – 18, Edwin Gyimah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa) – 19
Midfielders:
Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy) – 8, Afriyie Acquah (Torino, Italy) – 6 , Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain) – 5, Mubarak Wakaso (Panathinaikos, Greece) – 11, Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England) – 7, Ebenezer Ofori (AIK Stockholm, Sweden) – 15, Samuel Tetteh (Leifering, Austria) – 20
Forwards:
Asamoah Gyan (Al Ahly, UAE) – 3, Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa, England) – 9 , Andre Ayew (West Ham, England) – 10, Ebenezer Assifuah (Sion, Switzerland) – 13, Bernard Tekpetey (Schalke, Germany) – 14
